Time Management for Writers: Self Motivation

Self-motivation is one of the great time management tools available to writers, and one of the most pleasant to employ. If you’re geared up, it’s far easier to sit your butt in that chair and type.

One powerful way to self-motivate is to take a minute to contemplate our greater goals. Picture the ideal life you want. Spend a little time with the writer you intend to be — the writers you really are. How will you spend your days?

The bigger the goal, the more challenging and meaningful it is. As writers we can envision reaching it, without worrying about how we’ll take every step along the way. Maybe we’ll have to slog every step, but writers love writing, so that’s completely okay. Or maybe, from time to time, fortune will shine on us, through an opportunity for swift advancement that a writer’s hard work has readied each of us to accept.

If a career goal is our true desire, and if we can picture ourselves winning it, then the small steps we take towards it have more meaning. And they may be more fun, especially if thinking about that red carpet to a writing nomination at the Oscars is on your mind, or a signing, or a great big royalty cheque. Our goal may well be to write while smiling broadly. These are the working moments when a writer feels as if time stands still, and (I smile as I type) it’s truly amazing how much we can get done when it feels like time stands still.

With a great attitude and steady incremental preparation, we are a long way towards creating the author’s life we want and deserve.

I hope it’s another brilliant writing day for you.

Cheers

Mel

For more inspiration from Mel, check out The Writer’s Boon Companion available till December 1st only on Something Novel.